Estimated Flood-Inundation Mapping for the Lower Blue River in Kansas City, Missouri, 2003–05

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the city of Kansas City, Missouri, began a study in 2003 of the lower Blue River in Kansas City, Missouri, from Gregory Boulevard to the mouth at the Missouri River to determine the estimated extent of flood inundation in the Blue River valley from flood-ing on the lower Blue River and from Missouri River backwa-ter. Much of the lower Blue River flood plain is covered by industrial development. Rapid development in the upper end of the watershed has increased the volume of runoff, and thus the discharge of flood events for the Blue River. Modifications to the channel of the Blue River began in late 1983 in response to the need for flood control. By 2004, the channel had been wid-ened and straightened from the mouth to immediately down-stream from Blue Parkway to convey a 30-year flood.